Robotic strawberry pickers could be on the way

Scientists at the UK's National Physical Laboratory have developed technology that can identify ripe strawberries in the field, which could lead to robotic strawberry pickers

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Scientists at the UK's National Physical Laboratory have developed technology that can identify ripe strawberries in the field, which could lead to robotic strawberry pickers

Now that we're moving towards automated orange-sorting and autonomous tractors, what might be the next step in replacing human agricultural workers with machines? Well, how about robotic strawberry pickers? That's what scientists from the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL) say could be on the way, thanks to a system that is able to identify ripe strawberries in the field.

Work first began on the system in 2009, at which time is was being developed for use with cauliflowers. Although it was reportedly successful, a drop-off in demand for the vegetables caused the project to stall. It has since been revived, for use with other crops. Strawberries are particularly well-suited to the technology, as their high water content and dry leaves make them easier for the system to image, and the time-consuming process of picking them by hand could be greatly reduced through automation.

The system is able to non-invasively "see" beneath the surface of strawberries using four parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, namely radio frequencies, microwaves, terahertz radiation and far-infrared light. Both the hardware and software involved are reportedly able to detect which berries are ripe enough for picking, and are able to do so for a relatively low cost.

Although robotic strawberry-picking machines would undoubtedly put some field workers out of a job, the NPL scientists say that they would also boost efficiency and reduce waste, as under-ripe berries wouldn't be picked and then discarded. The technology could possibly also be used for sorting municipal waste.

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Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.

This could allow strawberries to be grown in places where people wouldn\'t be able to pick. They could grow in places where animals would not have easy access. This could increase production.

NelsonOctober 21, 2011 03:11 PM

Another case of technology making humans obsolete. Technology gives one man the ability of a thousand, and then it burdens the Earth with the thousand people it just made redundant.

PrometheusGoneWild.comOctober 23, 2011 11:48 AM

Great Nelson,
Lets all go back to making our own food, making our own tools, making our own houses.
You could lead the way! Get rid of your car and build your own from scratch!
You could make the frame from iron ore. Make the the tires yourself. Make the fuel yourself. Make the alternator; engine; fuel pump; fuel tank; suspension; seats; dashboard; fuel injection system; break system; and the other thousand associated parts!
Then you would have a job and you would not be a burden on the earth!

LuchinGNovember 8, 2011 04:48 PM

Dennis: the reductio ad absurdum can be done in the other way: lets give all the jobs to automated sistems, until there's no job for any human. I live in a third world country. I agree that technology cant be stopped, but why can't it take also the direction of a human-labor activity?